These Arms of Mine

by Judy Lynn Hubbard

  Unexpectedly, she pushed out of his arms and hotly responded, “Well, we’re not married yet!”

  She was angrier with herself for responding as eagerly as she had than she was with him for initiating the kiss. Turning her back on him, she prepared to leave him standing there alone. However, his hands prevented her from moving. He pulled her back and turned her around until she faced him again.

  “But soon.”

  He placed a quick, hard kiss on her moist lips before he left her standing there alone, staring after him longingly, with nothing but her disturbing thoughts to torment her already tortured soul.

  Chapter 5

  Alesha sat in the hospital lounge, dressed in pale pink scrubs, checking the surgery schedule for the day. She tried unsuccessfully to ignore the envious banter of the four friends and colleagues who shared the lounge with her.

  “Alesha, you’re so lucky!” one of her friends cooed as she passed around a copy of Time magazine with Derrick’s handsome face on the cover. She had to admit the eight-by-ten glossy photo from which the cover image was taken didn’t begin to do him justice.

  “How did you ever land such a marvelous catch?” the woman continued.

  Returning her eyes to the schedule on her lap, she responded, “Just fortunate, I guess.”

  “I’ll say you were!”

  She sighed at the response. The slight sarcasm in her voice had been lost on her friends, who continued to salivate over Derrick’s picture.

  “Angie, you’re on with Dr. Ryan at 3:00 p.m. in O.R. 12.” She tried to redirect everyone’s attention from her private life and back to work.

  “Fine.” The slender brunette with the short-cut hair nodded before returning to the subject that was on everyone’s minds. “Come on, Alesha. Out with the dirt.”

  She looked up at her best friend, her exasperation evident. “What dirt, Angie?”

  “How is he in the romance department? I’ll bet he knows exactly what to do and does it expertly.”

  Alesha blushed at the explicit question, especially as she remembered the many ardent kisses she and Derrick had exchanged. What would Angela say if she told her she had never slept with Derrick—or with any man? She wanted to confide in her best friend. She could use some guidance in the romance department.

  “Angie, leave Alesha alone. Can’t you see you’re embarrassing her?” said Linda, another one of her friends.

  “I’ll bet she could tell us all stories that would have our hair standing on end!” Angela picked up the magazine to take a closer look at the gorgeous man on the cover. “You’d better hold on tight—he’s one sexy guy!”

  “Why, thank you.”

  All heads turned in the direction of the door, to find the object of their conversation and desire lounging against the door frame, dressed impeccably in a charcoal suit, crisp white shirt and red tie.

  “Derrick, what are you doing here?”

  Alesha automatically stood and walked over to him. Dear Lord, how long had he been standing there and how much had he heard?

  “I couldn’t wait until tonight to see you, darling.”

  To the delight of her friends, he placed his hands around her slender waist, pulled her close and lowered his head purposefully toward hers. As always, they shared a breathtaking kiss. She clung to the lapels of his suit as she once again experienced the passion in his embrace. She didn’t know how long he kissed her—time was suspended—however, when he finally lifted his head, she was more embarrassed than ever. She was sure that the blatant desire on his face, and hers, must be obvious to everyone in the room.

  “Ahem!” Someone coughed loudly, making both of their heads turn in the direction of the other occupants of the room.

  “Mr. Chandler, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Never one to be accused of being shy, Angela walked up to shake his hand.

  “Derrick.” He smiled at them all in turn as they introduced themselves. “Please forgive me for interrupting your break.”

  His hand resumed its possessive position on Alesha’s waist. He kissed her on the cheek.

  She leaned against his chest and looked at him adoringly before plastering a stupid grin on her face, something she had gotten very good at in the last month. She hoped no one would ask her anything, because she didn’t think she could trust herself to speak.

  “It’s no intrusion at all.”

  Alesha glanced at all of her friends as they nearly swooned at Derrick’s feet. He could ask any of them all to jump out the fifth-floor window and they would do so gladly.

  “I hope to see all of you at the wedding.” At their gleeful promises, he added like a true politician, “And I hope I can count on your votes.”

  “Thank you. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. And you definitely have my vote,” Angela said, and the others promised to support him at the ballot box, as well.

  “We can hardly wait for the big day ourselves.” Derrick pulled Alesha closer. “Right, darling?”

  All she could do was nod because, as always, his nearness was affecting her ability to think clearly. She wished he would let her go so she could breathe again. As if sensing her unspoken desire, and doing just the opposite, he pulled her even closer.

  Everyone else reluctantly returned to work. Alesha would have gone with them, but Derrick refused to release her. Once they were alone, she turned to stare at him angrily.

  “Was that really necessary?” She suddenly found her elusive voice.

  “What?” He feigned innocence.

  “You know what—that nauseating scene you just played.”

  “Weren’t there a few parts you enjoyed?” His voice was slightly husky as he traced the outline of her trembling lower lip with the fingers of his free hand.

  Despite herself, she felt a shudder pass down her spine to the tips of her toes at his touch and was certain he felt it, too. She longed for his lips to recapture hers once again.

  His eyes shifted from hers to her slightly parted lips and back to her eyes again, yet he made no move to kiss her. Why was he toying with her? More importantly, why was she quivering in anticipation, craving another of his devastating kisses?

  “Do you know what I want right now?” His voice was a whisper—his lips were a hair away from hers.

  “What?” She fought to keep herself from swaying toward him.

  Without answering her, his lips brushed against hers before he released her waist. Taking her hand instead, he led her out of the lounge into the busy hallway.

  “Where are we going?”

  They got onto the elevator. She glanced out to find all her friends watching enviously.

  “To lunch.”

  “I can’t leave the hospital. I have surgery in an hour and a half.” She tugged against his hand.

  “You’ll make it. We’re going to the hospital cafeteria.” His smile widened as the doors closed.

  After a brief stop at her office, which Derrick insisted on seeing, they boarded the elevator again. When it stopped on the twelfth floor, Derrick grabbed her hand and pulled her out.

  “Where are we going? The cafeteria’s on the first floor.”

  “You’ll see.”

  He smiled and led her toward the doctors’ conference room. A sign reading “In Use” was posted, but he disregarded it and began to open the door.

  “Derrick, what are you doing?” Her hand covered his to stop him. “We can’t go in there!”

  “Of course we can.” He swung the door open and ushered her inside.

  She was still trying to reason with him when suddenly all her friends and colleagues ran toward them, yelling, “Surprise!”

  They all beamed at her shocked face as she looked around the room, seeing for the first time that it
was decorated with streamers, balloons and signs wishing her well. She quickly returned her astonished gaze to Derrick.

  “You knew about this?” she gasped.

  “Knew about it?” Angela walked over and hugged her tightly before continuing. “He’s been a doll! We invited him, and he assured us he would be here, whenever, wherever.”

  “I—I don’t know what to say.” She stared at him in disbelief before quickly turning and adding to everyone, “Thank you all so much.”

  She was bombarded with hugs, well wishes and gifts. Someone shoved a glass of punch into her hands. Derrick was by her side constantly as she spoke with everyone. However, someone ushered him away to talk politics, and she was alone in the midst of another group of friends. Despite their good intentions, their words began to make her feel uncomfortable. She felt like a hypocrite, allowing people she had worked with for years to believe she was blissfully happy about her impending marriage, when nothing was further from the truth.

  “Alesha, what’s wrong?” Angela grabbed her hand in concern as she noticed the pained expression on her friend’s face.

  “Nothing, nothing.” She forced a tearful smile.

  “This is your best friend you’re talking to. Tell me.” She squeezed her fingers comfortingly.

  “Oh, Angie, it’s just…” She paused.

  Even though Angela was her best friend, she had never spoken to her or anyone about Derrick—not two years ago, and certainly not now. How could she explain her inner turmoil to her friend, or to anyone here? No one could begin to understand what she was going through except…Derrick.

  She searched for him, longing to be with anyone with whom she didn’t have to pretend to be happy about leaving a job she loved in only two days. Her eyes encountered his as he stood across the room speaking with the head of surgery. He smiled at her reassuringly, and she automatically returned his smile. As odd as it sounded, she suddenly was very glad he was here. Her feelings were so complicated as far as he was concerned. Even though a part of her vowed to dislike him—a promise she had, thus far, been unable to keep—more times than not she enjoyed his company. That was a scary admission.

  “What is it?” Angela’s persistent tugging on her hand forced Alesha to refocus her attention.

  “I’m just going to miss everyone so much.” She hoped that would appease her friend.

  “It’s not as if you’re never going to see us again. Besides, you’ll be so busy with your handsome new husband and your exciting life that you won’t give us a second thought.”

  “You may be right.” She forced herself to assume a teasing demeanor.

  She turned to respond to a question from another friend and, seconds later, felt a strong arm around her waist. She knew the arm belonged to Derrick. Her friends tactfully excused themselves, and she turned to face her soon-to-be husband.

  He lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips. “You looked like you needed rescuing,” he whispered, his sympathetic eyes staring into her pained ones.

  “I’m fond of all of these people—this is really hard.”

  “I know.” He pulled her slightly closer.

  Her hands automatically rested on his broad chest as she gazed into the compassionate depths of his eyes. In that instant, she felt that everything was going to be all right. To everyone present, they looked totally in love with each other.

  “Why did you agree to come to this party?” She felt and heard him sigh as he studied her face.

  “It was a good opportunity to test how others react to us as a couple.” He deliberately chose his words to see how she would respond.

  “I should have known,” she hissed softly.

  “If I had refused after being invited, it would have looked suspicious.”

  His words enraged and saddened her. She should have known he had only been thinking about his career! Anger darkened her eyes and she tried to free herself from his suddenly unwanted embrace.

  “We certainly wouldn’t want that.” She tried in vain to free herself. “Will you let go of me?”

  “Alesha, stop struggling before someone notices.” His voice was low, but firm, commanding obedience. Yet she refused to comply.

  “Let go!” She brought her free hand up to his chest and pushed. He moved his hand from her waist to her back, effectively sandwiching the hand on his chest between their bodies.

  “There is another reason I came.” He placed his free hand underneath her defiant chin and lifted her angry eyes to meet his.

  “I don’t care to hear it.” She tried unsuccessfully to free her chin from his grasp.

  She couldn’t stand to hear any more of his heartless comments. She needed kindness from him, not taunting.

  “I’m going to tell you anyway.” He brushed a brief hard kiss on her lips, his hand moving from her chin to cup her jaw.

  “Please stop, Derrick.”

  “I know it’s hard for you to give up your career, even if just for a little while.” His fingers softly caressed her cheek. “I thought today, of all days, having at least one person here with whom you didn’t have to pretend to be happy about that choice—even if it was me—would make this farewell somewhat more bearable for you.”

  She immediately stopped struggling to free herself, but remained silent, unable to believe her ears. She searched his face for signs of teasing or deceit, and instead found only sincerity. He had articulated her feelings perfectly. How could he be so in tune to her feelings? How could he be both the cause of her pain and the only means to alleviate it? He never ceased to amaze or confuse her.

  “What?”

  “Contrary to your belief, I really don’t want to make this any more difficult than it has to be.” Fingers absently brushed stray strands of hair away from her eyes before he ruefully added, “I don’t suppose I could expect you to believe that.”

  She stared at him, speechless, for a few moments before finding her voice. “I do believe you.”

  “Well, that’s progress, isn’t it?” He softly kissed her and she automatically responded to the warm, comforting pressure.

  “I guess it is.” She couldn’t remove her gaze from the genuine tenderness reflected in his eyes, directed toward her.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  “No.” Her eyes registered surprise at his question.

  “Well, let me remedy that.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” Her voice was wispy soft. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

  “Thanks.”

  He treated her to one of his devastating smiles before turning his attention to the traffic he was expertly weaving in and out of. They drove on in silence for a while. She had easily slipped into the role of Derrick’s fiancée.

  He pulled his sports car up to the restaurant and turned to face her. “Now remember, I told Cam that we met again…”

  Alesha’s fingers on his lips halted his words. “Derrick, you’ve told me a hundred times. I won’t forget.”

  “I’m being a pain, huh?” He captured her hand with his own, refusing to release it.

  “A little bit.” She was breathless. Suddenly the close confines of the car became suffocating.

  “I’m sorry.” His eyes darkened.

  “Um, I guess we should go in.” Instead of moving away, an invisible magnet drew her closer to him.

  “I guess.”

  Though he agreed with her, neither of them made any move to leave. Inevitably, they kissed. Lightly, at first, but then the unexpected passion consumed them. Her hands rested on his chest and he cupped her face, tilting his head one way and then another, bringing her sweet mouth closer.

  A cool blast of air forced them slightly apart.
“I beg your pardon sir, madam,” A red-faced doorman apologized.

  As always, it was Derrick who regained his composure first, glancing over her shoulder. “It’s no problem. We were just getting out.” Then, returning his attention to her, he asked, “Ready?”

  She ran her tongue over her slightly damp lips, tasting him and nodded slightly. She didn’t trust herself to speak. He released her face and opened his door before walking around to help her out. He continued to hold her hand as they entered the restaurant, where they were to meet his best friend.

  As their coats were checked, Alesha used her fingers to wipe off traces of her lipstick staining his lips. Their eyes met and held for several suspended seconds before they were shown to a table. At their approach, a tall man who closely resembled her fiancé in build and height stood. He was dressed like Derrick in a dark navy suit with a red tie. He smiled easily, and Alesha instantly liked him.

  “Well, well, I don’t believe it. You’re on time.” The man chuckled at Derrick and then turned to Alesha. “It must be due to your good influence.”

  “Very funny.” Derrick smiled. “Cameron Stewart, Alesha Robinson.”

  “Alesha, it’s a pleasure.” Cam shook her hand warmly. “Derrick said you were beautiful, but not exquisite.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad to finally meet you, Cameron.” She smiled as he brought her hand to his lips briefly before releasing it.

  “Cam. No one calls me Cameron except my mother—and Derrick when he’s mad at me.” He winked at his friend.

  “Which you take deep pleasure in making sure is often,” Derrick said as they were seated in the booth.

  “Untrue.” Cam shook his head. “I’m the easiest person to get along with you will ever meet.”

  “Hah!” Derrick snorted good-naturedly.

  That was the way their dinner progressed. It was quickly apparent that Derrick and Cam were the best of friends, and could talk to each other only as best friends could and get away with it. Alesha enjoyed herself very much. She saw a side of Derrick that was completely relaxed—one she hadn’t seen in a long time and one she liked very much.